SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Mansfield University women's basketball team won the second and third quarter, but a hot start and even better finish lifted reigning NE10 Champion Le Moyne College to a 57-32 non-conference victory on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 15 at Ted Grant Court.

The final score did not tell the story as the Mounties (2-6 overall) outscored the Dolphins (6-4 overall), 9-7 in the second period and matched their total of 14 in the third. However, the Dolphins led 17-7 after the first quarter and finished the contest on a 19-2 run to come away with the victory.

Junior Chelsea Cover led the Mounties with 10 points, two rebounds and a steal. Junior Kira Merritt was perfect from the floor (3-of-3) and at the line, totaling nine points and seven rebounds. Sophomore Sydney Reed added five points.

Le Moyne jumped out to a 17-7 lead in the first, but Merritt hit her first three shots, including one from three to keep Mansfield within reach.

The second quarter was a defensive battle as the Mounties held the Dolphins to 27 percent from the floor and seven points, winning the quarter 9-7.

In the third, the Mounties matched the Dolphins with 14 points, marking the most in a quarter on the evening. Cover knocked down two threes and made several winning plays on defense to keep the Mounties in striking distance, 38-30, heading into the final period.

Le Moyne's early offensive struggles started to dwindle away and the Dolphins erupted for 19 points to the Mounties two to close out the contest.

Jenna Zimmerman led the Dolphins with a 17-point, 12 rebound double-double. Liz Millea added 12 points and Mckayla Roberts finished with 10.

The Mounties take a week off before hosting Gannon University at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20 at Decker Gymnasium.